The hood struts on my '91 LS are getting weak, and seem on the brink of not being able to hold up the hood anymore.

Is there a name for the clips that keep the hood struts in place, and a place to get them?

I tried a couple auto store chains and none of them had these clips.

 

I've never heard of such clips, though that seems like a good idea, as long as they do not scratch the shiny shaft that they presumably clip to.

If they do scratch them, you run the risk of losing even more pressure within the lifts. Then not only won't they hold up your hood, they won't even have much pressure to help lift up your 90+ pound hood in the first place!

It might sound ghetto, but if it was me, I could get by with a short piece of fuel line hose (slit so that it could be placed over the shaft) surrounded by a small hose clamp. Then, if you are really ambitious, you weld a wing nut to the hose clamp so you don't need a screwdriver.

Or, use a stick! Many an SC owner has resorted to that when the trunk lifts start failing.

 

I'm using a toilet plunger to make sure the hood doesn't all of a sudden come crashing down on my head. Doesn't get more ghetto than that.

 

Or you could just replace the struts

 

I would if opened the hood more often than 3 times a year, and if they weren't so expensive for what they are.

 

I think JC Whitney had the clips you are describing in their catalog next to the listing of aftermarket struts. I was looking for aftermarket struts for my 93 LS. I did not see them listed so I called the aftermarket company,StrongArm, they said they may offer LS struts next year.

 

StrongArm and MightyLift are brands of the ArvinMentor company (or something like that), and they make a lift support for the SC400's trunk. Very hard to find in stores, though. www.rockauto.com seems to have the best prices for such lifts.

The SC lifts are very small, and no other size will work on the trunk, but that might not be the case for the LS hood. Armed with a yardstick, you might find one in parts stores that work, even if it is not an exact fit.

 

You can't find them aftermarket for a good price?

 

For you LS guys that need hood supports check this thread out:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=40752

 

The above link seems to be the best way...$32 total. But I haven't used a drill before, and don't really understand the instructions (i'm sure it's childs play for others though). So I guess I can't go that route unless I find someone to do it for me.

Will take a look through jcwhitney's web site for those clips...

 

just use a vice grip if u have one

 

The clips seem like an interesting option but some years ago I bought a strut through Griot's that you twist to extend and then twist to lock. I haven't had a car yet that didn't have the struts lose pressure and the Griot strut is specifically made to hold the hood open. This is a keeper for my tool box, surprising how many uses it has.

 

kreativ - I've replaced them on my SC's trunk and it was not that hard, and I really think it is time you handled a drill in your life (!), so if you're willing to come to the Beverly Hills area, you can pull your car into my driveway and I'll show you how it's done. Just bring over the replacement struts- I got the rest.